Lens Costs.....

OnTheFly7 · Feb 1, 2014

I've always been a Nikon guy and have always had Canon rammed down my throat. One of the most common and continuous things I was and am currently told is how much more expensive Nikkor lenses are when compared to Canon. Well, I finally decided to compare prices as I am not too deep into any brand and was tempted to take the Canon and "L" lens bait. What I found was that the validity of those comments was non-sense. The 70-200mm, f2.8 lenses are about even ($100 difference I think) and the 300mm, f2.8 prime, the Canon "L" lens is $7,300 while the Nikkor is $5,900.

So I ask.....where is Canon superior in their offerings and cost?

From what I am seeing, I am staying with and investing in Nikon and Nikkor.

480sparky · Feb 1, 2014

This is gonna turn into a Ford v. Chevy debate real fast.

Overread · Feb 1, 2014

Before the recession and before new versions of the lenses Canon was cheaper than Nikon in some high end lenses. However since the recession and since Canon has brought out new versions of lenses that is no longer true.

OnTheFly7 · Feb 1, 2014

480sparky said:
This is gonna turn into a Ford v. Chevy debate real fast.

Probably! It happens!

Going to be bias on this side of the forum, but what are your thoughts on the two?

PaulWog · Feb 1, 2014

Canon has a cheaper 17-55mm f2.8 lens (significantly-so). It also has a cheap 50mm f1.8 lens offering. I could probably spend a full month Googling up each lens offering from Canon & Nikon and provide reasoning and counter-reasoning for each side.

I do wonder whether Canon would've been the better route for me. There's some key things about their business model across the board that I like. However, the grass always seems greener on the other side, and I'm sure invested in what I've got already (and happy with it)

JTPhotography · Feb 1, 2014

I recently made the switch from Canon to Nikon, I find that the prices pretty much even out. If nothing else, look at the 200-400 prices, Canon is wayyyy higher. The nikon selection is better in my opinion. I owned several "L" lenses and, again, find that the nikon pro lenses that I have match or surpass Canon.

OnTheFly7 · Feb 1, 2014

PaulWog said:
Canon has a cheaper 17-55mm f2.8 lens (significantly-so). It also has a cheap 50mm f1.8 lens offering. I could probably spend a full month Googling up each lens offering from Canon & Nikon and provide reasoning and counter-reasoning for each side.

I do wonder whether Canon would've been the better route for me. There's some key things about their business model across the board that I like. However, the grass always seems greener on the other side, and I'm sure invested in what I've got already (and happy with it)

You make a great point, from a personal perspective and I'd be curious to hear it out.....

What is it about their business model that you prefer, or at least like?

80% of my work is fly fishing, hunting, rodeo and golf. With some family stuff thrown into the mix.

shefjr · Feb 1, 2014

480sparky said:
This is gonna turn into a Ford v. Chevy debate real fast.

I prefer Ford because they didn't take any of my tax payer money.

OnTheFly7 · Feb 1, 2014

shefjr said:
480sparky said:

This is gonna turn into a Ford v. Chevy debate real fast.

Click to expand...

I prefer Ford because they didn't take any of my tax payer money.

I prefer RAM, because I prefer RAM! :hug::

480sparky · Feb 1, 2014

OnTheFly7 said:
......Going to be bias on this side of the forum, but what are your thoughts on the two?

I really can't comment because I've never used Canon.

PaulWog · Feb 1, 2014

OnTheFly7 said:
You make a great point, from a personal perspective and I'd be curious to hear it out.....

What is it about their business model that you prefer, or at least like?

80% of my work is fly fishing, hunting, rodeo and golf. With some family stuff thrown into the mix.

I can't name much specifically without sounding uninformed (which I am) when it comes to comparing Nikon to Canon. Since I chose to go with Nikon initially, I had (and have) very little reason to research much into Canon gear.

First thing: Nikon's service center in my area is in British Columbia, Canada. They're located about 45 minutes from my house. I called them up to find out their business hours, which they happily gave me "8am to 3pm Monday through Friday". Okay, great! I'll come and drop my lens off some time when I get off earlier in the day during the week. I arrive at the service center: It's closed. What? It's 1:30PM and they're closed? What's with that! I call their line up, and I get a line saying "We're open 8am to 3pm... Monday through Friday... etc". I thought maybe they were on lunch break. I try calling back a couple more times, and finally I listen more carefully: "8am to 3pm Easter Time." And get this: I was calling their local number, not a 1-800 main center. They started with "Welcome to the Richmond service center" or something like that. What a pain! I *still* haven't taken my one lens which isn't functioning correctly in because of this... I refuse to pay $20 or so to properly package it and mail it in to somewhere that's 45 minutes from my house. I just can't make it to their center from 6am through 12pm during workdays... :-/ So that's annoyance number one.

Comparing the D600 to the Canon 6D, I also get an ickier feeling about Nikon.

I've heard things about Canon's DSLR cameras feeling sturdier in the hand as well. That's really something I haven't looked into, and it's just one of those "grass is always greener on the other side" bits: I am prone to believing positive things about a company which I haven't developed any negative opinions about. I also don't know if Canon offers focus calibration on cheaper DSLR's by comparison (probably not?).

Anyway... I don't have much to say as you can see. They're just companies. If I were to buy into Nikon or Canon with a $2000 budget for the camera & lens setup, I'd probably pick whichever has the best sale on the day that I decide to buy.

goodguy · Feb 1, 2014

480sparky said:
This is gonna turn into a Ford v. Chevy debate real fast.

Ford!!!

snowbear · Feb 1, 2014

I once made an alcohol cannon out of soup cans and duct tape -- it was certainly cheaper than a Nikon.

weepete · Feb 1, 2014

I like turtles. That is all.

BillM · Feb 1, 2014

I have a Silverado and a Corvette in my garage, in the past there was a F-150 and Mustang. Ford was right for me then and Chevy is right for me now. Who knows what will be right for me tomorrow.